Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that is thought to be prevalent in up to 9-23% of the world’s population. It is associated with diarrhea, constipation or both, abdominal pain and bloating, possible urinary symptoms and pelvic pain. Common comorbidities including sleep difficulties, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and TMJ dysfunction can have a...
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age worldwide. Classically, symptoms of endometriosis are painful menstrual cycles and chronic pelvic and abdominal pain, though a myriad of symptoms exist including rectal pain, abdominal bloating, back pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and pain with sex. Current treatment regimens for...
The majority of people with lower quarter pain or symptoms will demonstrate altered coordination and communication between the nervous system and muscles. This leads to altered movement patterns which may perpetuate symptoms and lead to more chronic pain and muscle imbalances. Primary movers for our movement patterns (example: gluts) may be substituted for weaker, less...
Physical therapists are great at educating our patients about their bodies. We have anatomical models, slick videos, and analogies to teach you all about how your body works. While this helps patients understand the underlying mechanisms causing their pain, we are leaving one very important thing out: THE PAIN! Very few providers explain to you...
Exercise remains an essential intervention of any acute or chronic pain management program. The effects of aerobic exercise on pain reduction (analgesia) is well established and thought to occur through a multifactorial process involving positive neurological (peripheral nerves, spinal cord, and brain), as well as, immunological, and circulatory changes in the body. The analgesic effects...
Chronic or persistent pain is defined by pain that extends beyond 12 weeks or the normal healing time for a given injury/diagnosis despite treatment. Our medical system does a great job treating new or acute pain, but has struggled to be as effective with patients dealing with chronic pain. It is estimated 1 in 4...
By: Maggie Gebhardt, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT Hypermobility is often seen as a “superpower” in the performing arts. Whether you are a ballet dancer reaching for a perfect line or a circus artist performing gravity-defying feats, extreme flexibility is part of the job. However, without the right support, that same flexibility can lead to chronic...
Running remains one of the most popular forms of exercise due to its’ affordability, accessibility, and health benefits. The popularity of the sport has grown tremendously over the last few decades, but despite advancements in shoe wear, training methods, and rehabilitation interventions the injury rates remain frustratingly high. Up to 90% of runners will report...
Dry needling is a common physical therapy treatment intervention in our Boulder Physical Therapy practice for patients with musculoskeletal pain. It involves the insertion of a thin monofilament needle into a muscle. Dry needling has been proven effective in reducing pain, changing the status of trigger points, improving muscular blood flow, and has been suggested...
By: Lucas Glomb, PT, DPT, OCS Many people think that once they’re cleared to return to sport after ACL reconstruction, the work is done. But for many athletes, the real challenges show up months, or even years, later. Depending on the type of graft used for reconstruction, patients may develop chronic issues that limit performance...
